Bonus Episode: A Maasai Story

with Dickson Ole Gisa

Dickson Ole Gisa, a leader in his Maasai village, contacted the Weston A. Price Foundation (WAPF) in 2014, saying, “Please send someone over. We’re all getting sick!” Dickson had found out about the principles of the foundation and the Wise Traditions diet, and they really resonated with him and his community’s experience.

WAPF did send leaders to his village in Matapato, Kenya, in 2015 and, in partnership with Dickson, began spreading the word about the link between good nutrition and overall health.

In today’s fascinating conversation, Dickson recounts his childhood dietary habits and where his people are today. He talks about the allure of “foreign foods” and the corresponding rise in the incidences of cancer, diabetes, and other diseases heretofore unknown by his village.

Dickson’s community in Oiti is taking steps to return to their traditional diet. This episode may inspire you to do the same!

Notes

On his travels around the world, Dr. Weston A. Price visited Kenya. He was impressed with the health and vitality exhibited by the tribal people he met. But western influence continues to affect even the most remote villagers. “The diet is “changing tremendously” said Maasai Dickson Gisa.

Dickson Ole Gisa lives in Oiti, a Maasai village in Kenya, near the border of Tanzania. He heard of the Weston A. Price Foundation through a friend. The Wise Traditions principles resonated with him, and he immediately contacted the foundation, saying, “Please send someone over. We are all getting sick. I have diabetes. My wife has asthma….” The foundation has sent representatives to his village twice and has worked with Dickson to turn things around for his community. Our podcast host, Hilda Labrada Gore, was able to engage Dickson in conversation this past May. You will be fascinated as Dickson shares some of his stories.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear:

what he ate as a child
the Maasai traditional diet
the allure of “foreign foods” like soda, juice, oils
how the changing diet is impacting the Maasai
how western diseases are affecting his own community
how pregnant women are “selective” in terms of the food they eat
the traditions related to childbirth
a special book written by the first Maasai scholar which records all of the cultural traditions of the people
how “civilization” and “education” are shaping Maasai dietary choices
how Dickson spreads the news of Wise Traditions
the community response to WAPF principles and ideas